Síntese verde e estabilização de nanopartículas de prata em morinda citrifolia L. (NONI) como coadjuvante no tratamento de câncer

Abstract

Cancer is one of the main public health problems in the world, with no cure and aggressive treatments. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most studied and used nanomaterials, due to their characteristic properties, and can be used to treat and diagnose cancers. Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has been systematically explored for the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles, also due to its antitumor activity. The aim of this research was to synthesize and stabilize AgNPs in noni plant extract by means of green synthesis. AgNPs were synthesized using silver nitrate and sodium citrate, confirming the reduction of silver by the change in color of the nitrate/citrate solution. AgNP characterization was carried out using the ultravioletvisible (UV-Vis) light spectroscopy method, showing an absorbance band around 400 nm indicating the formation and stabilization of AgNPs. The genotoxic evaluation of the AgNPs was carried out using the Allium cepa test with root germination in 19 bulbs out of the 30 placed in the bioassay. The genotoxicity varied according to the different concentrations, with groupA showing a stable mitotic index (MI) and a low chromosome alteration index (CAI); group B with a MI and CAI below group A; C1 with a high MI and CAI also high in relation to group A; C2 with a MI above that found in group A, but a CAI above the values found in groups A, B and C1; C3 with a MI below that found in all groups except B and a CAI above that found in group A and below that found in subgroups C1 and C2, revealing a medium degree of genotoxicity of AgNPs at a concentration of 50%. This study showed that AgNPs stabilized in noni extract showed average genotoxicity, showing promise in the production of a phytotherapeutic adjuvant in the treatment of cancer